ACCIDENT FEARED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22544, 8 October 1936, Page 11

ACCIDENT FEARED

TIMOR SEA FLIGHT LORD SEMPILL'S MACHINE PATROL BOAT SEARCHING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Octobor 7, 10.15 p.m.) DARWIN, Oct. 7 It is feared that Lord Sempill's aeroplane has been forced down in the Timor Sea. The Government patrol boat Larrakia has been despatched to search for it.

The machine took off from Darwin at 4.50 a.m. (local time), since when no report has been received from the crew. Piloted by Mr. H. Wood, the Croydon Monospar aeroplane had arrived afc Darwin from Melbourne, having flown the 2435 miles in 12 hours 55 minutes. Mr. Wood said he was confident ho could keep his promise to the Crew that they would have Inncheon in London next Sunday. In order to do this Mr. Wood would havq had to fly more than 12,700 miles without relief«at the controls, and break the record of 5 days 15 hours from Darwin to London, held by Lieutenant O. Cathcart-Jones and Mr. Ken Waller.

CREW OF MACHINE HEAVY WEIGHT CARRIED FI V E HOURS OVERDUE (Received October S, 1.35 a.m.) DARWIN, Oct. 7 The pilot of the missing aeroplane is accompanied by the designer of the machine, Mr. F. F. Crocombe, an engineer, Mr. I;. Davies, and a radio ojx'rator, Mr. C. P. Gilroy. The machine had a load of 11,3001b., chiefly petrol and spare parts. Mr. Wood had planned to reach Singapore, 2347 miles from Darwin, today, but the machine is five hours overdue at Koepang. It was last soon 450 miles from Darwin.